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2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region

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Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2021-2022, 8,124 people earned their degree in geological & earth sciences, making the major the 95th most popular in the United States. In , geological & earth sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $38,869 and had an average of $22,278 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 1,632 geological & earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,732 and $18,454 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region” ranking, we looked at 131 colleges that offer a degree in geological & earth sciences. That schools that top this list have a program in geological & earth sciences in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The geology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region geology students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Far Western US Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Institute of Technology. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. This small school is located in Pasadena, California, and it awarded 26 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 99%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full California Institute of Technology Geological & Earth Sciences Report

2
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Out of the 131 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #2 spot on the list. Stanford is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 98 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Stanford University

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Alaska Fairbanks. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Fairbanks, Alaska, and it awarded 18 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Alaska Fairbanks

4
Oxy crest
Occidental College
Los Angeles, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Occidental College. The school came in at #4 for the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region. This small school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 7 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Occidental College Geological & Earth Sciences Report

5
Whitman crest
Whitman College
Walla Walla, Washington

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Whitman College. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region. Located in Walla Walla, Washington, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Whitman College

6
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Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, Washington

Pacific Lutheran University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. This small school is located in Tacoma, Washington, and it awarded 12 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Pacific Lutheran University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

7
WWU crest
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington

Western Washington University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #7. This fairly large school is located in Bellingham, Washington, and it awarded 64 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full WWU Geological & Earth Sciences Report

8
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University ranked #8 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. Washington State University is a large public school situated in Pullman, Washington. It awarded 120 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Wazzu Geological & Earth Sciences Report

9
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Humboldt State University is located in Arcata, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 26 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Humboldt State University

10

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #10 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 53 students in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Santa Cruz

11

University of Hawaii at Hilo ranked #11 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Hilo, Hawaii, this small public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UH Hilo

12
Oregon State crest
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon

Oregon State University ranked #12 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Corvallis, Oregon, this large public school awarded 64 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Oregon State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

13
Pitzer crest
Pitzer College
Claremont, California

Pitzer College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Claremont, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 2 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Pitzer

14

University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 129 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UW Seattle

15

University of Hawaii at Manoa ranked #15 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. UH Manoa is a public institution located in Honolulu, Hawaii. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UH Manoa

16
Alaska Pacific crest
Alaska Pacific University
Anchorage, Alaska

Alaska Pacific University ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. Alaska Pacific is a small school located in Anchorage, Alaska that handed out 0 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Alaska Pacific University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

17

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. UCSB is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 59 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UCSB Geological & Earth Sciences Report

18

With a ranking of #18, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a large public school situated in San Luis Obispo, California. It awarded 23 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

19

With a ranking of #19, University of California - Merced did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. UC Merced is located in Merced, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 12 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of California - Merced Geological & Earth Sciences Report

20

University of Nevada - Reno did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #20. UNR is a public institution located in Reno, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 44 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Nevada - Reno

21

University of California - San Diego came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 87 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Full University of California - San Diego Geological & Earth Sciences Report

22
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Rohnert Park, California, and it awarded 13 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Sonoma State University

23

With a ranking of #23, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. University of California - Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 62 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UC Irvine Geological & Earth Sciences Report

24

California State University - Bakersfield came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. CSUB is a public institution located in Bakersfield, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at California State University - Bakersfield

25

University of Nevada - Las Vegas landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, this large public school handed out 32 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

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